Introduction As the capital of Rhode Island, Providence is the most populous city in the state, incorporating a vast community within. Its community serves over 30,000 students in 47 public schools [1] . In order to obtain a comprehensive view of the community of Providence, one should examine the geography, census-based indicators, economic well being, and the health, safety, and education indicators of the city. With this aforementioned data one will be able to obtain a comprehensive view of the community of Providence in comparison to the state of Rhode Island.
Geography The city of Providence, located within Providence County, encloses a total of 20.5 square miles, with 10% of that area being water. Providence is located near the top of Narragansett Bay, with the Providence River running into the bay through the center of the city. The weather qualifies as humid continental climate [2] . Providence is the most populous city in Rhode Island, and one of the most densely populated cities in the country with approximately 178,053 residents [3] .
Census-Based Indicators The highly populated city of Providence houses 41,634 children. Of those children, 46% of them live in single-parent families - 15% higher than that of the state's average. Providence, with a median family income of $33,960 annually is not very well off compared to Rhode Island, whose median family income is nearly twice as high. Because of this low income, the children living in families below the federal poverty threshold in Providence is over twice as large as the state's at 35.6% [4] .
Economic Well-Being Providence is a relatively poor city. The percentage of families receiving cash assistance in 2011 was 13%, compared to the state's 5%. Providence children also receive more than a third of the states allotted food stamps, getting nearly 24,000 yearly, compared to Rhode Island's total 63,783 annually. In addition, more than half of the students in Providence participate in the school's breakfast program at 51%, much higher than the state's 36%.[5] These statistics all point to the very poor economic state of Providence.
Health Indicators Compared to the state of Rhode Island, Providence is generally less healthy. This can be seen by the higher amount of children with elevated blood levels and asthma hospitalization rates within Providence as compared to the state. Additionally, one third of the number of children under 19 receiving medical assistance in Rhode Island are found in Providence, totaling 31,756 cases in 2011, while the state had only 93,691. It should also be noted that the children in Providence generally start off more poorly than that of the state's, for more children are delayed prenatal care, are breastfed less, are born to more teenagers and more mothers without a high school diplomas than the remainder of Rhode Island [6] .
Safety Indicators The safety of children in Providence is jeopardized when within the city. The child abuse and neglect rate per 1,000 children within this community is 18.4%, an astounding 4.4% higher than that of the state's. Also, the rate of incarcerated parents in Providence in nearly twice as high as the state's 10.9% at 23%. The domestic violence incidents with children in the city are also 5% high than Rhode Island's at 33%. It is clear that the children in Providence are experiencing a more tumultuous home life in general than that of the rest of the state due to these indications [7] .
Education Indicators The Providence education system when paralleled with Rhode Island is severely lacking. Within both reading and math, in 4th grade as well as 8th grade, the Providence students failed to attain the same proficiency levels as the state. The most severe differentiation is seen in Providence's 8th grade math scores, only achieving a 31% proficiency rate compared to the state's 58%. This may be attributed to the chronic early absence (K-3) of 22%, 10% higher than Rhode Island's, or their suspension rate of 48 children per 100 students. Additionally, an appalling 44% of students do not graduate from the Providence high school community, 11% higher than Rhode Island's [8] .
Conclusion
In summation, the community of Providence is deficient when paralleled with the state of Rhode Island in terms of places apparently desirable to reside. The economic well being of the city is very meager, while the health, safety, and education information all indicate that Providence is lacking in every facet. The community in general when compared to the state is very poor, not safe, and lacking educationally. Overall, it appears that Providence is an unattractive place to reside as well as attend public school.
Introduction
As the capital of Rhode Island, Providence is the most populous city in the state, incorporating a vast community within. Its community serves over 30,000 students in 47 public schools [1] . In order to obtain a comprehensive view of the community of Providence, one should examine the geography, census-based indicators, economic well being, and the health, safety, and education indicators of the city. With this aforementioned data one will be able to obtain a comprehensive view of the community of Providence in comparison to the state of Rhode Island.
Geography
The city of Providence, located within Providence County, encloses a total of 20.5 square miles, with 10% of that area being water. Providence is located near the top of Narragansett Bay, with the Providence River running into the bay through the center of the city. The weather qualifies as humid continental climate [2] . Providence is the most populous city in Rhode Island, and one of the most densely populated cities in the country with approximately 178,053 residents [3] .
The highly populated city of Providence houses 41,634 children. Of those children, 46% of them live in single-parent families - 15% higher than that of the state's average. Providence, with a median family income of $33,960 annually is not very well off compared to Rhode Island, whose median family income is nearly twice as high. Because of this low income, the children living in families below the federal poverty threshold in Providence is over twice as large as the state's at 35.6% [4] .
Economic Well-Being
Providence is a relatively poor city. The percentage of families receiving cash assistance in 2011 was 13%, compared to the state's 5%. Providence children also receive more than a third of the states allotted food stamps, getting nearly 24,000 yearly, compared to Rhode Island's total 63,783 annually. In addition, more than half of the students in Providence participate in the school's breakfast program at 51%, much higher than the state's 36%.[5] These statistics all point to the very poor economic state of Providence.
Health Indicators
Compared to the state of Rhode Island, Providence is generally less healthy. This can be seen by the higher amount of children with elevated blood levels and asthma hospitalization rates within Providence as compared to the state. Additionally, one third of the number of children under 19 receiving medical assistance in Rhode Island are found in Providence, totaling 31,756 cases in 2011, while the state had only 93,691. It should also be noted that the children in Providence generally start off more poorly than that of the state's, for more children are delayed prenatal care, are breastfed less, are born to more teenagers and more mothers without a high school diplomas than the remainder of Rhode Island [6] .
Safety Indicators
The safety of children in Providence is jeopardized when within the city. The child abuse and neglect rate per 1,000 children within this community is 18.4%, an astounding 4.4% higher than that of the state's. Also, the rate of incarcerated parents in Providence in nearly twice as high as the state's 10.9% at 23%. The domestic violence incidents with children in the city are also 5% high than Rhode Island's at 33%. It is clear that the children in Providence are experiencing a more tumultuous home life in general than that of the rest of the state due to these indications [7] .
Education Indicators
The Providence education system when paralleled with Rhode Island is severely lacking. Within both reading and math, in 4th grade as well as 8th grade, the Providence students failed to attain the same proficiency levels as the state. The most severe differentiation is seen in Providence's 8th grade math scores, only achieving a 31% proficiency rate compared to the state's 58%. This may be attributed to the chronic early absence (K-3) of 22%, 10% higher than Rhode Island's, or their suspension rate of 48 children per 100 students. Additionally, an appalling 44% of students do not graduate from the Providence high school community, 11% higher than Rhode Island's [8] .
Conclusion
In summation, the community of Providence is deficient when paralleled with the state of Rhode Island in terms of places apparently desirable to reside. The economic well being of the city is very meager, while the health, safety, and education information all indicate that Providence is lacking in every facet. The community in general when compared to the state is very poor, not safe, and lacking educationally. Overall, it appears that Providence is an unattractive place to reside as well as attend public school.
"State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Department of Education Report" (PDF). State of Rhode Island Department of Education.
Brown, Seth (2007-09-01). //Rhode Island Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff//. Globe Pequot. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-7627-4338-4.
Rhode Island Kids Count. "Indicators of Child Well-Being - Profile of Providence, Rhode Island." KidsCount, 2010. http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/Providence_2012.pdf
Rhode Island Kids Count. "Indicators of Child Well-Being - Profile of Providence, Rhode Island." KidsCount, 2010. http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/Providence_2012.pdf
Rhode Island Kids Count. "Indicators of Child Well-Being - Profile of Providence, Rhode Island." KidsCount, 2010. http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/Providence_2012.pdf
Rhode Island Kids Count. "Indicators of Child Well-Being - Profile of Providence, Rhode Island." KidsCount, 2010. http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/Providence_2012.pdf
Rhode Island Kids Count. "Indicators of Child Well-Being - Profile of Providence, Rhode Island." KidsCount, 2010. http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/Providence_2012.pdf